Ms. Maya Rivera, 33, was a 4th grade teacher at Monterrey Elementary School in Roswell, New Mexico. She lived a beautiful life that ended way too soon. Her friends and family know her as their “Little Teacher” with a big personality. Often found scooting around in her chair making others laugh,  she was much loved by her family, students and fellow staff members. Her love of dairy cows, coffee, Door Dash and her students was known to the community, where she had taught for seven years. She was recently celebrated as a “Teacher of Character”. The Singing Tree® of Ms. Rivera seeks to capture these qualities.

Tamra Gedde, head of Roswell’s Creative Learning Center, responded immediately to the tragic untimely loss of Ms. Rivera by facilitating a Singing Tree® mural as a tribute to her and as a way for the students and community to grieve together. The universe in the background represents all that connects the children, families, staff and community of Monterrey. The oak tree represents Ms. Rivera. Her roots are deep within the Earth. Ms. Rivera is also honord by the heart with a black and white cow pattern, a yellow Monterrey banner and a red “R”. She will always be in the hearts of the community. The painting is a reminder of the sweet memories of the beloved educator. The 4th graders drew their memories, love and prayers on the birds. They are the birds. Teachers contributed their memories on the leaves, as did some students. Ms. Rivera’s unstoppable sense of humor appears as the cow peeking out from the tree.